Patent Application
20050248087
The disclosures made herein relate generally to extendable article holding devices and, more particularly, to extendable article holding devices specifically configured for holding articles made from one or more relatively thin sheets of material.
In the game of Bingo, a Bingo player often has the need to buy additional Bingo cards. As a convenience to Bingo players, Bingo cards are often offered for sale. Because physical Bingo cards are a depletable item in the game of Bingo, cards are after every one or two games depending on whether the card is one-sided or two-sided.
Conventionally, a Bingo player raises their hand to gain the attention of a Bingo card seller that is circulating throughout the room where Bingo is being played. However, as it is not uncommon for there to be several hundreds, if not thousands, of Bingo players engaged in a game of Bingo, it is often difficult to immediately get the attention of a Bingo card seller. To aid in getting the Bingo card seller's attention, it is not uncommon for a Bingo player to wave their hand back and forth to aid in bringing attention to himself or herself. However, waving one's hand back and forth is tiring as well as distracting to both the Bingo player and those around the Bingo player waving their hand.
Therefore, an apparatus that overcomes shortcomings associated with conventional approaches for getting the attention of a Bingo card seller would be useful, advantageous and novel.
Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved means for gaining the attention of a Bingo car seller for the purpose of buying a Bingo card as well as for other related useful purposes. Specific to the use of gaining the attention of a Bingo car seller, an article holding apparatus in accordance with the present invention eliminates the need for a Bingo card buyer from having to wave one's hand back and forth, which is tiring as well as distracting to both the Bingo player and those around the Bingo player waving their hand. Accordingly, the present invention advantageously overcomes one or more shortcomings associated with conventional approaches for getting the attention of a Bingo card seller.
In one embodiment of the present invention, an article holding apparatus comprises an extendable support structure and a clip device. The clip device is attached to a first end region of the extendable support structure.
In another embodiment of the present invention, an article holding apparatus comprises a telescoping support structure, a clip device and a mounting structure. The clip device is attached to a first end region of the telescoping support structure. The mounting structure is attached to a second end region of the telescoping support structure.
In another embodiment of the present invention, an article holding apparatus comprises an extendable support structure, a mounting structure and a clip device. The mounting structure is attached to a second end region of the telescoping support structure. The clip device is attached to a first end region of the extendable support structure. The clip device is generally shaped in the form of a hand. The clip device is specifically-configured for compressively holding articles made from one or more relatively thin sheets of material.
Turning now to specific aspects of the present invention, in at least one embodiment, the extendable support structure is extendable from a fully retracted length to a length of more than 2 times the fully retracted length.
In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the extendable support structure includes a plurality of telescoping sections.
In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the extendable support structure is extendable from a fully retracted length to a length of more than 2 times the fully retracted length.
In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a mounting structure is attached to a second end region of the extendable support structure.
In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the mounting structure is configured for compressively engaging a body having spaced-apart engagement surfaces.
In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the mounting structure includes a contact surface configured for engaging one of the spaced-apart engagement surfaces, the extendable support structure is rigidly attached to the mounting structure and a longitudinal reference axis of the extendable support structure extends generally perpendicular to the contact surface when the extendable support structure is in a fully extended position.
In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the clip device is specifically-configured for compressively holding articles made from one or more relatively thin sheets of material.
In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the clip device is generally shaped in the form of a hand.
These and other objects and embodiments of the inventive disclosures made herein will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and associated drawings.
The extendable support structure 102 includes a plurality of telescoping sections (102a-102d), which are extendable (configuration as shown in
Referring now to
The extendable support structure 102 is rigidly attached to the mounting structure 106. For example, the extendable support structure 102 may include a threaded portion at it's second end region 110 that engages a mating threaded hole in the first spaced apart leg 114 of the mounting structure 106. A longitudinal reference axis L of the extendable support structure 106 extends generally perpendicular to the contact surface when the extendable support structure is in a fully extended position.
Referring now to
The clip device 104 has opposing engagement members 121 that define an article-receiving space 122 therebetween. Disposing a sufficiently thick article in the article-receiving space causes the opposing engagement members 121 to be forced apart, thereby generating and exerting a compressive force on the article. In one embodiment, the opposing engagement members 121 are integrally formed from a single piece of material (e.g., springs steel) a geometry of the formed material (e.g., a bend) provides the compressive force upon relative displacement of the opposing engagement members 121. In another embodiment, a discrete spring is connected between the opposing engagement members 121 for generating and applying a force in response to the opposing engagement members being forced apart.
In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice embodiments of the inventive disclosures made herein. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, chemical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of such inventive disclosures. To avoid unnecessary detail, the description omits certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
This patent application claims priority to co-pending United States Provisional Patent Application having Ser. No. 60/556,267, filed Mar. 25, 2004 entitled “Extend An Arm”, having a common applicant herewith and being incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60556267 | Mar 2004 | US |
